Northeast Teens Visit Poland and Israel in Life-Changing Heritage Trip From Auschwitz to Israel, Students Commemorate, Reflect, and Confront Contemporary Challenges
BOSTON, MASS. (Issued June 2024)
In May, some 5,700 high schoolers from 52 countries, including 25 from the U. S. Northeast, participated in an educational, life-changing ‘heritage trip’ to Poland and Israel.
It was the 2024 edition of March of the Living (MOTL), a program that brings students from around the world to Poland to learn about the Holocaust –including a march from Auschwitz to Birkenau on Holocaust Memorial Day – followed by a visit to Israel that coincides with Israel Independence Day.
Since its inception in 1988, over 300,000 teens have participated in the program.
children-in-the-holocaust-concentration-camp-liberated-by-red-army-
Group leaders included Irv Kempner of Sharon, Mass., Chair of the New England Friends of March of the Living (NEF MOTL) and the son of Holocaust survivors; Susan Flashner-Fineman, NEF MOTL Associate Director; and Aaron Kischel, New England Director.
“On each trip, I become encouraged when I witness the emotional and transformative impact March of the Living trip has on our youth,” Kempner said after this, his 10th MOTL trip. “Their immersive experience revitalizes their commitment to Judaism, and their desire to become upstanders fighting Holocaust denial and growing antisemitism on campuses, at workplaces and communities at large.
Participants gain a greater respect and understanding of their heritage. They gain better understanding of ‘Never forget’ and ‘Never again,’ and to fight prejudice wherever it appears.”
Survivors
In Poland, the group was joined by a New Yorker who escaped the October 7 Nova Festival Hamas attack. Aaron Kischel said, “The bonding with our history and Israel is a chief strength of the March. The experience strengthens students as they go forward into our very complicated college campus world.”
Discussing the value of visiting the birthplace of the Holocaust, Kempner said, “ Seeing firsthand the remnants of concentration camps and learning about the atrocities that took place there, students develop a deeper empathy and appreciation for the magnitude of the Holocaust.
Asked about taking the trip during such troubled times, Kempner said, “ The tragic events of Oct 7th highlight the ongoing challenges of conflict, self-reliance, self-defense and irrational hatred that leads to acts of violence in the world, underscoring the importance of promoting peace through strength, understanding the historical nature of the Arab-Israel conflict, and remembrance of victims and fallen heroes.”
He added, “Traveling to Israel, especially in the context of an ongoing existential conflict and acts of terrorism, offers insights into the complex political, social, and security challenges facing Israel and the region. It can foster empathy and understanding for the experiences of those affected by violence and promote dialogue, support and peace-building efforts.”
Kempner said, “Ultimately, visiting Poland and Israel are valuable in different ways, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of history, global issues, human rights, and strengthen support for Israel as a Jewish homeland.”
Noa-Kirel-Somewhere-Over-the-Rainbow
For information about the 2025 March of the Living for students who will be high school seniors and for information about donating toward trip stipends, contact
Irv Kempner Chairman, New England friends of
The March of the Living,
Ikempner@aol.com
/ 617.285.8620 /
by Stan Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com